Automatically response system using a schedule and method thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a communication terminal, and more particularly, to an automatically response method which controls a call requests of sender using the registered schedule in advance. The automatically response method includes registering at least one schedule inputted from recipient, retrieving a schedule information for schedule notice based on at least one schedule, displaying the retrieved schedule information to the recipient, and performing an automatically response to a call requests of sender. Therefore, the invention intercepts a call requests which be telephoned in public place or private time. Also, the invention prevents a misunderstanding between sender and recipient and allows sender to be a call standby effectively, informing sender of the reason why a call is impossible and the available time of calling.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to communication terminals, and moreparticularly, to a system and a method thereof are provided toautomatically responding to incoming calls according to pre-registeredschedules.

With this invention, a receiver can register at least one or moreschedules, can search through schedule information for scheduledmessages corresponding to at least one or more schedules, can displayschedule notices to the receiver, and can automatically respond tocallers accordingly; hence, able to prevent undesired call ringing inpublic places or during private times, and at the same time, able toavoid any misunderstanding between the caller and the receiver byadvising of reason for not being able to receive a call and inform nextconnectable time. This enables the caller to wait in an efficientmanner.

BACKGROUND ART

In these days, accelerating development of telecommunication technologyand convenience of telecommunication has resulted in a rapid increase innumber of people using phones and cellular phones. Cellular phone has anadvantage that it can be used at anytime and on anywhere; hence, it isowned by almost one per person.

Despite the strength that cellular phone can be used irrespective oftime and place, cellular phone's bell ringing sound in public places hasbecome a serious pollution problem in our modern times. Especially, innon-allowed public places, such as school, government building, andlibrary, or even in private times when one does not wish to receive acall, such as while sleeping, rest, studying, or driving. phone ringingsound not only bothers cellular receiver but also people around thereceiver.

In order to resolve these problems, several techniques such asauto-answering Voice message system and connection disabling system havebeen developed. Auto-answering system originated from usage in regularwired-phones whereby during receiver's absence, pre-recorded message isplayed and caller can leave a voice message if needed. Connectiondisabling system is when a receiver changes cellular phone tonon-receiving mode in a public places or where telecommunication signalsare fundamentally blocked, calls will not get through to cell phones andhence not cause it to make ringing noise.

However, when call signals are fundamentally blocked, there will be aproblem of caller not being able to connect even emergency calls. Also,when Auto-answering system is employed, receiver can only check messageleft by a caller and cannot proactively respond to caller's request.

On another invention, patent application number 2000-0037072 that ispublished in Korea, call connection can be controlled depending on acaller's identity. However, this invention has a complexity of requiringeach and every caller to be already registered. Furthermore, the aboveinvention cannot handle calls by non-registered callers. And even forregistered callers, if their phone numbers change, those callers' callwill not be connected unless registered phone number is changed.

On the other hand, aside from techniques to respond to noise pollution,when a receiver determines a schedule for a ringing, there is no meansto connect other than receiver's scheduled time.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of this invention are:

-   -   a) to provide a system or method to automatically respond to a        call request made by a caller using schedules.    -   b) to provide a means to enable a call to come through even in a        Do-Not-Disturb scheduled time, using a password that was        pre-provided to callers by the receiver.    -   c) to provide a system or method to deliver appropriate message        to a caller whether that be a denial of receiving a call and/or        to inform next possible time to receive a call.    -   d) to provide a system or method thereof to communicate notices        to receiver relating to schedule information and Do-Not-Disturb        state.

According to a preferred embodiment of this invention, in a callresponding system based on schedules, receiver registers one or moreschedules, the system searches for schedule information based on one ormore registered schedules, schedule the system displays search-resultedschedule notice to receiver, and automatically respond to an incomingcall using the schedule.

At least more than one schedule could be monthly schedule, weeklyschedule, or special time schedule.

Registering at least more than one schedule means the system provides aninput screen corresponding to the receiver-selected schedule menu, andregistering the schedule information into a corresponding database.

Searching for schedule information for schedule notice means the systemsearches at least more than one schedule register with a selected searchcriteria, checks whether schedule type is “0” or not, checks the statusof Do-Not-Disturb times, and if the schedule type is “0” or ifDo-Not-Disturb times is past, deletes schedule information fromcorresponding schedule register. If Do-Not-Disturb time is not past, itmaintains the schedule information from corresponding schedule register,and if searching in more than one schedule register is completed, itperforms searching in the order of Special time schedule, weeklyschedule, and monthly schedule. And it stores search-resulted scheduleinformation into one or more schedule register.

Giving a notice to the Caller means, a) Inquire no. 1 schedule registerto check schedule type, b) if that schedule type is not “0”, it checkswhether Do-Not-Disturb schedule register is empty, c) if theDo-Not-Disturb schedule register is empty, it stores the scheduleregister's information into the Do-Not-Disturb register, d) repeat theabove steps up to the last schedule register, e) and indicate computedschedule register forms, and if the Do-Not-Disturb schedule register isnot empty while repeatedly performing above steps, it compares scheduleregister's start time to that of the Do-Not-Disturb schedule register.

Automatically responding to a caller's call request means, when a callis made, it checks Do-Not-Disturb schedule register and compares itagainst the present time. If present time is within Do-Not-Disturbscheduled time, it delivers Do-Not-Disturb state to the caller. And ifthe caller makes an emergency call request while in a Do-Not-Disturbstate, it produces an emergency connection call ringing.

According to additional embodiment of this invention, in a callresponding system based on schedules, it provides a communicationterminal that enables a means for a receiver to register one or moreschedules, to search for schedule information based on one or moreregistered schedules, to display search-resulted schedule to receiver,to deny caller's request based on current schedule information, to storeone or more of the schedules, to temporarily memorize searched scheduleinformation, and to produce a connection call ringing if a caller makesan emergency call request while in a Do-Not-Disturb state.

Stored databases in the communication terminal include Do-Not-Disturblist database, monthly schedule database, weekly schedule database, andspecial time schedule database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an outline of the call responding system according to apreferred operation scenario with a caller terminal and receiverterminal and a Communication Service Center.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed structure of receiver's Terminal according tothe call responding system preferred operation scenario.

FIG. 3 shows Do-Not-Disturb list database table according to the callresponding system preferred operation scenario.

FIG. 4 shows a monthly schedule database table according to the callresponding system preferred operation scenario.

FIG. 5 shows a weekly schedule database table according to the callresponding system preferred operation scenario.

FIG. 6 shows a special-time schedule database table according to thecall responding system preferred operation scenario.

FIG. 7 shows a data structure in schedule register according to the callresponding system preferred operation scenario

FIG. 8 shows a data structure in Do-Not-Disturb schedule registeraccording to the call responding system preferred operation scenario

FIG. 9 shows a process flowchart of inputting schedule informationaccording to the call responding system preferred operation scenario

FIG. 10 shows a process flowchart of searching schedule informationaccording to the call responding system preferred operation scenario

FIG. 11 shows a process flowchart of displaying schedule information andindicating Do-Not-Disturb state according to the call responding systempreferred operation scenario

FIG. 12 shows a process flowchart of automatically responding to theCaller corresponding to current Do-Not-Disturb state when a caller makesa call request, according to the call responding system preferredoperation scenario

BEST MODE CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following detailed description will present a preferred embodimentof the invention in reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an outline of call responding system according to apreferred operation scenario. In FIG. 1, the call responding systemdetermines Do-Not-Disturb state based on pre-registered schedule when acaller makes a call request. When a call is made within a Do-Not-Disturbperiod, the call responding system informs the caller of theDo-Not-Disturb state, but when the call is made outside ofDo-Not-Disturb time, it produces a ring and connects the call to thereceiver.

To achieve this, the call responding system must have a caller'sterminal 100 and a receiver's terminal 140 that can request a call andreceive a call respectively. In here, the terminals 100 and 140 meanseither wired or wireless terminals. The wired terminal means a normalhouse phone. The wireless terminal means PCS, Cellular phone, or a PDA.Also, the call responding system includes a communication service center(CSC) 120 that provides services of registering personal informationfrom the caller or the receiver, connecting a communication channelbetween the caller and the receiver, and enabling a voice exchangebetween the caller and the receiver. The CSC 120 in a case of normalhouse phones means public switched telephone network (PSTN), such asVerizon and AT&T firms. The CSC 120 in a case of wireless networkservice means wireless service firms, such as Verizon Wireless andNextel.

The receiver's terminal 140 is explained using FIG. 2. In here, itshould be noted that the caller's terminal 100 can be structured thesame way as the receiver's terminal 140. The reason to differentiate thecaller's terminal 100 and the receiver's terminal 140 is todifferentiate a caller and a receiver, and the terminals that caller andreceiver carry would have the same functionality and the same structure.

FIG. 2 shows a detailed structure of receiver's Terminal according tothe call responding system preferred operation scenario. In FIG. 2, thereceiver's terminal 140 encompasses an input unit 151 which is used byreceiver to input schedules, and a display unit 157 to show input screenaccording to receiver's schedule register request. The input unit 151can be buttons on outside surface of the receiver's terminal 140. Thedisplay unit 157 can be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen to show orany displayable information. Also, the receiver's terminal 140 caninclude a controller 153, a memory 155, schedule register 159 a receivesignal detector 161, a receive signal generator 163, and an input/outputinterface 165.

The receiver can make a schedule input request using the input unit 151.The controller 153 provides an appropriate input screen to the receivercorresponding to receiver's register request. Hence, the receiver caninput desired schedule and have it registered in receiver's terminal140.

In the memory 155, a procedure for replying a caller's call is stored ina software program format. The memory 155 is also stored withreceiver-input schedule; such as Do-Not-Disturb list of database,monthly schedule database, weekly schedule database, and special-timeschedule database. Now each database is explained using FIGS. 3 to FIG.6.

FIG. 3 shows a Do-Not-Disturb list database table 200 according to thecall responding system preferred operation scenario. In FIG. 3, thetable 200 consists of a Do-Not-Disturb list field 201, a password field203, and a default code field 205. The Do-Not-Disturb list field 201contains receiver's list of Do-Not-Disturb events, such as driving,conference, meeting, interview, lecture, show, sleeping, private time,planning time, etc. The password field 203 is filled indivisually withrespect to each Do-Not-Disturb event. That means for each Do-Not-Disturbevent, a distinct password can be registered. The password field 203 isrequired for the call responding system to connect a caller withpassword when the caller requests an emergency call during aDo-Not-Disturb period. In here, the password must be distributed inadvance to approved callers corresponding to each Do-Not-Disturb event.

FIG. 4 shows a monthly schedule database table 206 according to the callresponding system preferred operation scenario. In FIG. 4, the monthlyschedule database table 206 consists of a date field 207, a start timefield 209, a finish time field 211, a receiver state field 213, alocation field 215, a moving time field 217, a password request codefield 219, and a load check field 221. The table 206 may have monthlyrepeating schedules registered. In here, the receiver state 213 is codednumerically in order to link its relation to the Do-Not-Disturb tabledatabase 200. For example, when a receiver's state is ‘conference’, anumber ‘2’ is registered, and the number ‘2’ corresponds to ‘conference’in FIG. 3. When the receiver's state is ‘conference’, password anddefault code in FIG. 3 corresponding to ‘conference’ are determined. Thepassword request code is used to check whether to allow a caller to makean emergency call ringing or not. For example, if code is ‘Y’, thecaller needs to have a password to make an emergency connection.However, if code is ‘N’, the caller does not need a password to make anemergency connection if the caller wishes to. The load-check field 221is created for a use later on to avoiding duplicating search forinformation that is already stored in the schedule register 159 whenschedules are searched. Furthermore, the load-check field 221 isautomatically set to ‘N’ in the beginning. If after a search, scheduleinformation gets to be stored in the schedule register 159,corresponding schedule's load-check field 221 is changed to ‘Y’.

Thereby, the receiver inputs all corresponding fields in the receiver'sown monthly schedule, and the monthly schedule is registered in themonthly schedule database 206.

FIG. 5 shows a weekly schedule database table 222 according to the callresponding system preferred operation scenario. In FIG. 5, the weeklyschedule database table 222 consists of a day-of-the-week field 223, astart time field 225, a finish time field 227, a receiver state field229, a location field 231, a moving time field 233, a password requestcode field 235, and a load check field 237. The table 222 may haveweekly repeating schedules registered.

FIG. 6 shows a special-time schedule database table 238 according to thecall responding system preferred operation scenario. In FIG. 6, thespecial time schedule database table 238 consists of a date field 239, astart time field 241, a finish time field 243, a receiver state field245, a location field 247, a moving time field 249, a password requestcode field 251, and a load check field 253. The table 238 may havenon-repeating one-time schedules registered.

Going back to FIG. 2, the controller 153 executes store program in thememory 155. The controller 153 regularly checks registered schedules inthe memory 155, and stores schedule information that is needed forschedule notice in the schedule register 159. The controller 153 storesschedule information corresponding to current Do-Not-Disturb scheduleseparately into the DND schedule register while providing schedulenotice information that was stored in the schedule register 159. Thecontroller 153 gives schedule notice based on search result to terminalowner, and provides Do-Not-Disturb status to the caller. The controller153 searches schedules, and if searched time coincides with schedulenotice time, it displays schedule information on the display unit 157,and at the same time, generate schedule notice signals in the receivesignal generator 163 in a preprogrammed signal manner. The controller153 receives a caller's connection request, determines if called time iswithin a Do-Not-Disturb time period or not, and subsequently sendsDo-Not-Disturb state and next connectable time to the caller. Thecontroller 153 could generate connection signal even during aDo-Not-Disturb period when the caller uses a password to request anemergency call.

The schedule register 159 is a temporary memory device to store searchedschedule notice from the schedules. The schedule register 159 mayinclude Do-Not-Disturb schedule register that stores separately currentDo-Not-Disturb status schedule. Although the call responding system inthis invention uses 10 schedule registers and one Do-Not-Disturbregister, depending on this invention's alternatives, it can use morethan 10 schedule registers.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrates data structure of the schedule informationin the schedule register 159.

FIG. 7 shows a data structure 260 in the schedule register 159 accordingto the call responding system preferred operation scenario. In FIG. 7,the data structure 260 consists of a start time field 261, a finish timefield 263, a receiver state field 265, a location field 267, a movingtime field 269, a password field 271, and a schedule type field 273. Inhere, the start time field 261, a finish time field 263, a receiverstate field 265, a location field 267, and a moving time field 269 canbe copied directly from the memory 155 and be stored. The password field271 is set to ‘0000’ if password request field in database is ‘N’. Ifpassword request field in database is ‘Y’, a password corresponding tothe password request field may be copied and be stored in the passwordfield 271. The schedule type field 273 contains a number depending onsimple schedule notice or Do-Not-Disturb status indicating mode; namely,‘0’ for simple schedule notice, ‘1’ for Do-Not-Disturb state indication,and ‘2’ for schedule notice and Do-Not-Disturb state indication. Forexample, if Do-Not-Disturb state indication is selected, ‘1’ will bestored in the schedule type field 273.

FIG. 8 shows a data structure 274 in Do-Not-Disturb schedule registeraccording to the call responding system preferred operation scenario.The Do-Not-Disturb schedule register is included in the scheduleregister 159 in FIG. 2. In FIG. 8, the data structure 274 consists of astart time field 275, a finish time field 277, a receiver state field279, a password field 281, and a schedule type field 283. In here, datainput storage method for each category is the same as the storage methodof the above schedule register; except in the Do-Not-Disturb scheduleregister, only fields that are required for connection denial arestored; the start time field 275, the finish time field 277, thereceiver state field 279, the password field 281, and the schedule typefield 283. Hence, only current Do-Not-Disturb schedule information isstored. Hence, when there is a call request, only Do-Not-Disturbschedule register need to be checked to respond appropriately andpromptly. Without this register, the system must search all scheduleregisters every time a call request is received.

In order to either display Do-Not-Disturb state status on the displayunit 157, or effect “one-touch Do-Not-Disturb selection”, theDo-Not-Disturb schedule register is required. The data that “one-touchDo-Not-Disturb selection” process requires is the data in theDo-Not-Disturb schedule register in FIG. 8. In a preferred scenario, ‘*’button is for disabling Do-Not-Disturb schedule, ‘#’ button is forenabling Do-Not-Disturb schedule with a set of default values (currenttime to start time, ‘start time+increase time’ to finish time, defaultto receiver's state, ‘0000’ to password, ‘1’ [Do-Not-Disturb selection]to schedule type) . Additionally, ‘Δ’ and ‘←’ buttons are for movingDo-Not-Disturb schedule items, and ‘↑’ and ‘↓’ buttons are for changingeach item's values. If a schedule already exists for the time that auser wishes to change, then only finish time, receiver state, andpassword can be modified. Now the only additionally required data isDo-Not-Disturb Increase time, and this value shall be determined by avalue in the password 203 field under category ‘planning (9)’ inDo-Not-Disturb list 201 from the FIG. 3. That is because ‘planning’ isfor schedule notice and does not need to use a password.

The usage of the schedule registers and the Do-Not-Disturb scheduleregister 159 define a class structure of memory 155. That is, theschedule registers resides in the memory 155's upper structure, and theDo-Not-Disturb schedule register resides in the schedule register'supper structure. This is to minimize a time required to quicklydetermine a status of Do-Not-Disturb state when a call request isreceived. If the schedule register does not exist, all scheduleinformation in memory 155 must be searched. And if Do-Not-Disturbschedule register does not exist, not only all schedule registers mustbe searched but also “one-touch Do-Not-Disturb selection” will bedifficult to achieve.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the receive signal detector 161 searches forcaller's connect request ring signal through input/output interface 165.When a ring signal is detected, the receive signal detector 161 conveysthis information to the controller 153.

When a caller uses a password to request an emergency call, the receivesignal generator 163 produces an emergency call receive ring signalafter receiving a control signal from the controller 153. The emergencycall receive signal could be quieter than a normal receive signal as notto disturb public atmosphere in a Do-Not-Disturb state. It could also bea Silent-mode ring. The volume of the connect call signal can be presetin the program and can be controlled by the controller 153.

One should note that the call responding system could be embodied withinthe CSC 120 instead of within the receiver's terminal 140. That meansthe organization and the functionalities of the controller 153, thememory 155, and the schedule register 159 can be achieved within the CSC120 to effect the call responding system. In this case, call respondingsystem can be provided to more callers with a better service. Forexample, one can use Internet or PDA to directly schedule CSC 120'scomputer system database, and better additional functionalities can beadded.

FIG. 9 shows a process flowchart of inputting schedule informationaccording to the call responding system preferred operation scenario. Areceiver who has purchased the call responding system needs to registermonthly, weekly, special time schedules into receiver's terminal. Butbefore registering monthly, weekly, special time schedules, the receivermust register Do-Not-Disturb list items. In FIG. 9, the receiver firstselects a schedule menu (step 301). Then, the receiver's terminaldisplays an input screen to the receiver corresponding to the selectedmenu (step 303). The receiver inputs schedule information through theinput screen (step 305). In this step, schedule information wouldinclude day-of-the-week, date, start time, finish time, receiver state,location, moving time, password, etc. Then the receiver terminalregisters the schedule information to corresponding databases (step307). If the schedule information is for monthly schedule, thereceiver's terminal registers the schedule information into the monthlyschedule database, and if the schedule information is for weeklyschedule, the receiver's terminal registers the schedule informationinto the weekly schedule database. Also the receiver can inputDo-Not-Disturb state, password, and default type; hence registering intothe Do-Not-Disturb list database.

FIG. 10 shows a process flowchart of searching through scheduleinformation according to the call responding system preferred operationscenario. Assuming that all schedules in the receiver terminal areregistered, auto-responding process is automatically executed from themoment that the receiver terminal's power is turned on.

FIG. 10 shows that when the receiver terminal's power is turned on, thereceiver terminal starts the schedule searching process. Firstly, thereceiver terminal monitors whether current time is within a presetsearching cycle time (step 311). In here, the searching cycle time ismodifiable, and it is preferred that it be set in 1-minute unit;thereby, the receiver terminal executes schedule searching process.Secondly, the receiver terminal searches through the schedule register(step 313). In here, the schedule information includes start time,finish time, receiver state, location, moving time, password, andschedule type of which all are illustrated in FIG. 7. This schedulesearching process is for deleting schedule information that is stored inthe schedule register if current time is past its finish time. Forexample, if current time is 11:33AM and the schedule register's storedschedule information's finish time is 11:30AM, then the scheduleinformation does not need to be stored in the schedule register anymore;hence, it may be deleted. The receiver terminal checks whether theschedule type is ‘0’ (step 315), and if it is not ‘0’ , it checkswhether current time is past finish time. (step 317). If the scheduletype is ‘0’ or if current time is past finish time , the receiverterminal deletes schedule information from the schedule register (step321). If current time is not past finish time, the receiver terminalmaintains the schedule register's schedule information (step 319). Thesteps from 313 to 321 are repeated for all schedule registers.

When searching in schedule registers is completed, the receiver terminalsearches special-time schedule (step 323). In here, the special-timesearching can be executed using schedule information that is registeredin the special-time schedule database. The receiver terminal checkswhether current date is the same as the scheduled date (step 325). Ifthese are the same, the receiver terminal executes ‘schedule informationtreatment’ on corresponding schedule information (step 335). If theseare different, the receiver terminal executes ‘schedule informationmaintain’ step (step 337).

After special-time schedule searching is completed, the receiverterminal searches weekly schedules (step 227). It compares current dayagainst a scheduled day (step 329). If these are the same, it executesthe step 335; but if these are different, it executes the step 337.

After weekly schedule searching is completed, the receiver terminalsearches monthly schedules (step 331). It compares current day against ascheduled day (step 333). If these are the same, it executes the step335; and if these are different, it executes the step 337.

These steps are executed for all information in all types of scheduledatabases.

In “schedule Information Treatment” process (step 335), for items withload-check is ‘N’, it searches through schedules that have current timewithin the schedule's start and finish time. Therefore, the number ofschedule registers is determined by the number of schedules that couldbe planned to have the same times. In our system's case, it would bepossible to have 10 schedule registers that could have the same time (inminute unit). For loaded schedule information, load-check is set to ‘Y’,and schedule type is set. Schedule type is set to 0 if receiver state is‘planning’ (in FIG. 3 receiver state is ‘9’) as this is for ‘simplyschedule notice’. If moving time is ‘0:00’ and place requires privacy,this situation is Do-Not-Disturb and schedule type is set to 1. Finally,the schedule type is set to 2 if there exists moving time and place isprivate as this situation is Do-Not-Disturb and is in a schedule noticemode.

In ‘schedule information maintain’ step 337, all schedule information'sload-check value is set to ‘N’. This has a meaning of initializing nextschedule search towards once-loaded schedule register's information on aspecial day.

FIG. 11 shows a process flowchart of displaying schedule information andindicating Do-Not-Disturb state according to the call responding systempreferred operation scenario. Updated schedule information that resultedfrom the schedule searching process can be notified to the receiver aswell as displayed of its Do-Not-Disturb state. As mentioned earlier,this invention consists of 10 schedule registers and one Do-Not-Disturbregister. In FIG. 11, one can see that the receiver terminal checksupdated schedule registers sequentially (step 341). The receiverterminal checks if 10^(th) schedule register is checked yet (step 343),and if not, it checks if the first schedule register's schedule type is‘0’ (simple schedule notify) (step 345).

If the schedule type is not ‘0’, it checks whether Do-Not-Disturbschedule register is empty (step 349). If the Do-Not-Disturb scheduleregister is empty, the receiver terminal copies schedule informationfrom the first schedule register to the Do-Not-Disturb schedule register(step 353). In a case that the Do-Not-Disturb schedule register is notempty, the receiver terminal compares first register's start timeagainst the Do-Not-Disturb schedule register (step 351).

If the Do-Not-Disturb register's start time is later than that of theschedule register, the Do-Not-Disturb schedule register's information iscopied from that of schedule register (step 353). If the Do-Not-Disturbregister's start time is not later than that of the schedule register,the receiver terminal goes on to check if the schedule type is ‘1’ ornot (step 355). If it is ‘1’, the receiver terminal sets itself to theDo-Not-Disturb state (step 357), and if it is not ‘1’, the receiverterminal sets itself to the schedule notice and a Do-Not-Disturb state(step 359).

After the first schedule register's schedule notice Do-Not-Disturb statesetting is completed, second schedule register is checked (step 361).And the above steps from 343 to 361 are repeated until the last scheduleregister is checked.

When schedule type is ‘0’ in the step 345, the receiver terminal setsitself to schedule notice only (step 347).

The result from checking first schedule register to last scheduleregister can be displayed to the receiver, and at the same time,receiver signal be generated. In here, the schedule notice meanscommunicating corresponding schedule information. The Do-Not-Disturbstatus displayed items include receiver state, Do-Not-Disturb time,password request status on corresponding schedule information. TheDo-Not-Disturb time is calculated by subtracting current time fromfinish time.

FIG. 12 shows a process flowchart of automatically responding to aCaller corresponding to current Do-Not-Disturb state when a caller makesthe call request, according to the call responding system preferredoperation scenario. FIG. 12 shows that this process starts with receiverterminal checking to see if there is any call request (step 371); thischeck for call request is done using ring signal. When there is a callrequest, the receiver terminal checks the Do-Not-Disturb scheduleregister (step 373), and determines if current time is between starttime and finish time (step 375). After the comparison, if current timehas past the finish time, the receiver terminal generates a receivesignal and alerts the receiver via either a ring sound or a vibration(step 377). If current time is within start and finish time, itcommunicates to the caller its current Do-Not-Disturb status (receiverstate and call possible time, etc.) via either text message or voicemessage (step 379).

The caller may still wish to connect and make an emergency call requesteven after learning of Do-Not-Disturb state. At this time, an emergencycall connection can still be achieved. The receiver terminal checks tosee if the caller is making an emergency call request (step 381). Ifthere is an emergency call request, the receiver terminal checks if thecaller's selected password matches with that of Do-Not-Disturb scheduleregister (step 383). The step 383 also applies to cases when password isnot setup or password is ‘0000’. After checking, if the password iscorrect or if password is not setup or password is ‘0000’, the receiverterminal generates an emergency call receive signal (step 385), ifpassword is required but is not correct, it communicates to the callerto re-input a password and provide a helpful guide information (step387). Thereby, the receiver learns of an emergency call request in thestep 385, and answer the call. Through the step 387 the caller canre-input a correct password to make an emergency call request.

On an alternative embodiment of this invention, by receiver registeringschedule information ahead of time, if the receiver does not wish toanswer any call, the receiver does not have to answer calls using thisDo-Not-Disturb functionality.

This invention can be applied such that by receiver register certainundesired people's phone numbers in advance, a system can be used suchas to block any calls coming from these people.

Industrial Applicability

From the description above, a number of advantages of Auto RespondingSystem by Schedule (call responding system) become evident:

-   -   (a) By automatically answering calls using schedules, undesired        call ringing can be prevented while in a public place or during        a private time.    -   (b) By informing the caller as to the exact reason for not        answering the call as well as informing the next possible call        receive time, any misunderstanding between the caller and the        receiver can be prevented.    -   (c) By enabling to have selective emergency calls to be received        even during a Do-Not-Disturb time, absolutely imperative calls        can reach the receiver regardless of Do-Not-Disturb settings.    -   (d) By notifying the receiver of current schedule or current        Do-Not-Disturb state, communication system's usage is maximized.

This invention is applicable for both wire and wireless terminals.

The call responding system can be supplied either by a communicationservice provider or by a terminal manufacturer.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Also, on theabove technical field, any person with some communications knowledge canchange or modify this invention without going outside of the scopelimits of this invention.

1. A call responding method based on schedules, comprising: registeringat least one or more schedules input by receiver; searching scheduleinformation based on at least one said schedule; displaying to saidreceiver said searched schedule information; and automaticallyresponding to a caller's call request.
 2. The call responding methodaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one or more schedules is amonthly schedule, a weekly schedule, a special time schedule.
 3. Thecall responding method according to claim 1, said step for registering areceiver-input of one or more schedules comprises the steps of:providing a corresponding input screen for the receiver's selectedschedule menu; recognizing schedule information input through said inputscreen; and registering said schedule information to a correspondingdatabase.
 4. The call responding method according to claim 1, said stepfor searching schedule information based on at least one said schedulecomprises the steps of: searching one or more schedule registers atevery preset searching cycle; checking whether schedule type is ‘0’ andthe status of Do-Not-Disturb time; deleting schedule information fromcorresponding schedule register if said schedule type is ‘0’ or if saidDo-Not-Disturb time is past; searching in order of special timeschedule, weekly schedule, and monthly schedule after said step ofsearching one or more schedule register is completed; and storingsearch-resulted schedule information into one or more scheduleregisters.
 5. The call responding method according to claim 4, whereinsaid Do-Not-Disturb time is calculated from current time and a finishtime.
 6. The call responding method according to claim 4, furthercomprising the step of: maintaining said schedule register's scheduleinformation in a case that said Do-Not-Disturb time is not past.
 7. Thecall responding method according to claim 1, said step for displaying tosaid receiver said searched schedule information comprises the steps of:confirming schedule type by checking number 1 schedule register;checking said Do-Not-Disturb schedule register is empty in a case thatsaid schedule type is not ‘0’; storing schedule register's scheduleinformation in a case that said Do-Not-Disturb schedule register isempty; repeating above steps for each schedule register to the lastschedule register; and displaying computed result corresponding to saidschedule type.
 8. The call responding method according to claim 7,further comprising the step of: comparing schedule register's start timeagainst Do-Not-Disturb schedule register's start time in a case thatsaid Do-Not-Disturb schedule register is not empty, while repeatingabove said steps.
 9. The call responding method according to claim 7,wherein said searched result is at least one of schedule notify,Do-Not-Disturb state signal, or schedule notify & Do-Not-Disturb statesignal.
 10. The call responding method according to claim 1, the stepfor automatically responding to a caller's connect request comprises thesteps of: checking Do-Not-Disturb schedule register to compare currenttime against Do-Not-Disturb start time, in a case that there is a callerrequest for a call; communicating Do-Not-Disturb status and possiblereceive time to said caller, in a case that said current time is withinsaid Do-Not-Disturb time; and producing emergency call signal ring, in acase that said caller makes an emergency call request while in aDo-Not-Disturb state.
 11. The call responding method according to claim10 wherein said emergency call request is executed with a passwordinput.
 12. A communication terminal, comprising: means for registering areceiver-input of at least one or more schedules; means for searchingschedule information based on at least one said schedule; means fordisplaying to said receiver said searched schedule information; meansfor denying connection to a caller's call request, based on currenttime's schedule information; and means for storing and register at leastone said schedule.
 13. The terminal according to claim 12, furthercomprising: means for temporarily memorizing schedule informationresulted from said means to search.
 14. The terminal according to claim12, the means for storing includes Do-Not-Disturb list database, monthlyschedule database, weekly schedule database, and special time scheduledatabase.
 15. The terminal according to claim 12, further comprising:means for producing an emergency call signal ring during aDo-Not-Disturb state, if said caller makes an emergency call request.16. The terminal according to claim 15, wherein the emergency callrequest is executed with a password input.
 17. The terminal according toclaim 12, wherein said means to register includes a means to set aDo-Not-Disturb time with “one-touch”.